Manchester Controlled Explosion

Hundreds of people have been evacuated in Manchester City Centre, so police can carry out a controlled explosion on a suspicious package.

Officers say the Bomb Disposal Squad has carried out a controlled explosion on the suspicion package found on New York Street in Manchester city centre.

Police were called to New York Street at 7.35am to reports of a suspicious package having been left near to the Mecure Manchester Piccadilly hotel.

Police have closed down a cordon in the city centre following a controlled explosion on a suspicious package.

A 100m cordon was put in place and Bomb Disposal Experts attended.

They carried out a controlled explosion and found the package didn't contain an explosive device.

A laptop and cables were found inside.

The cordon has been reduced and just a small cordon remains in place around the package.

Superintendent Neil Bhole, said: “This incident has caused significant disruption this morning but we have to put the safety of the public ahead of inconvenience and disruption and we make no apology for the steps taken.

“We have dealt with this as quickly as possible without jeopardising public safety and everything should now be returning to normal.

“We obviously cannot speculate on the motive for the bag being left where it was but will now be carrying out an investigation to try and trace the individual involved.”